Governor order on Hemant Soren’s disqualification as MLA unlikely before Monday: Sources

Hemant Soren is facing the possibility of disqualification as an MLA for allegedly violating electoral norms by extending a mining lease to himself.

Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais is unlikely to send the order of disqualification of Hemant Soren as an MLA to the Election Commission of India (ECI) before Monday, sources said.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren is facing the possibility of disqualification as an MLA for allegedly violating electoral norms by extending a mining lease to himself.

The BJP, the petitioner in the case, has sought Hemant Soren's disqualification for violating Section 9(A) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which deals with disqualification for government contracts.

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The clause states that "a person shall be disqualified if, and for so long as, there subsists a contract entered into by him in the course of his trade or business with the appropriate government for the supply of goods to, or for the execution of any works undertaken by, that government".

The issue was referred to Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais and by him to the EC, as Article 192 of the Constitution states that on rulings regarding an MLA's disqualification, the question shall be referred to the governor who in turn "shall obtain the opinion of the Election Commission and shall act according to such opinion”.

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